Reading beats Sea Dogs 3-2

Photo Ralph Trout/RPhils.com

Once again, the Portland Sea Dogs rallied back late in a game.  Once again, the opposition, this time the Reading Phillies, barely managed to hang on for the win.  Michael Spidale threw out Che-Hsuan Lin at home in the eighth.  Then, Justin De Fratus got Lin to ground out with the bases loaded to end the game, as Reading earned a sweep of Portland 3-2 Sunday afternoon.

The Sea Dogs trailed 3-0 after a pair of solo home runs by Cody Overbeck and bases loaded walk to Derrick Mitchell.  However, the gap did not deter Portland's will to win.  Lin tripled with one out in the sixth inning and scored on Jon Hee's bloop single.  The next batter, Alex Hassan, doubled in Hee to instantly cut the lead to one.  Hassan advanced to second on a walk to Tim Federowicz before Jorge Padron grounded into an inning-ending double play.

That would be a familiar theme for the Sea Dogs as they managed to bring the tying run in scoring position three times, but never could get it across the plate.  Federowicz singled with runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth.  However, catcher Tim Kennelly sold Lin on the fact that there was no throw home, and tagged out the speedy centerfielder to end the frame.  Lin got another chance to tie the game in the ninth, but De Fratus got him to ground back to the mound.

The loss drops Portland to just 1-7 away from Hadlock Field to start the season.  Reading also has been an unkind destination.  The Sea Dogs haven't won at First Energy Stadium since Opening Day last year, and have lost ten straight there.  The Phillies picked up the series sweep despite being out-hit 23 to 17 in the three games combined.

The Sea Dogs continue their road trip in Trenton tomorrow night against the Thunder.  Brock Huntzinger will aim for his third straight win against Craig Heyer.  The Sea Dogs return home for a three-game series with the New Britain Rock Cats starting May 6.  That night will be a Fireworks night sponsored by U.S Cellular.  Sunday, May 8th will be Portland's annual Mother's Day 5K Road Race.  For tickets or road race registration information, log on to www.seadogs.com or call 207-879-9500.